Happy Mother’s Day to our incredible mom! Mom tirelessly pours herself first into her family and then into other women around the world. She’s the dedicated wife to Dad for almost 45 years, Mom to 8 adult kids, and Grandma to a growing tribe.

This lady is truly the real deal. Serving quietly in the background, meeting needs, and looking out for others’ interests. Proverbs 31:27: “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”

Mom’s driven and diligent. She pours her heart into what is before her. My Delight is the most recent example of that.

Happy Mother’s Day also to my sisters-in-law: Melanie (who is still hanging in there with Baby!), Anna Marie, Elissa, and Chelsy!

To those of you who have lost a little one this past year or a loved one, please know we care and are very sorry for that loss.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Love,Sarah

A special note from Mom (Teri) to all you mothers: Happy Mother’s Day! Bless you, dear moms, as you faithfully serve your families, investing your all in them. They may not always, or even ever, give you the gratitude you deserve, but the Lord knows every sacrifice you make for them.

As a grandmother looking back on my mothering days, I don’t regret all the time I spent with my children–reading to them, playing with them, working with them, teaching them. I do regret times I was impatient or frustrated with them. On Mother’s Day, may I encourage you to be grateful for every minute the Lord gives you with your children and use your time positively and purposefully. — Teri

Teri and Steve Maxwell

“Who can find a virtuous woman?for her price is far above rubies.”Proverbs 31:10

GiGi’s porch has been falling apart over the past few years, and after some consideration, she decided to have it taken down.

Dad tackled the project one weekend by himself (the others were out of town). I love to watch Dad’s engineer mind work. He thinks through the ramifications and goes from there. The porch was attached to the house which made it more complicated. Everything came down safely. Joshua helped Dad a little in the beginning process. I enjoyed seeing Grandpa / Grandson working together. Sure, it would have been easier for Dad without Joshua, but Dad sees the value of working with boys and giving them purpose. My brothers are great examples of that. Dad involved in them in work projects when they were little, and now as adults, they tackle all kinds of home improvements projects. Because they know it’s possible!

It’s amazing how open GiGi’s back porch now feels. I’ll do a separate post on the dumpster process and the final “product.”

This is how it looked before demolition.

Joshua wanted to help, so he assisted with carrying some light items from the porch to a storage area.

Ellie came over with me and spotted Nathan and Melanie’s cats, perched on the neighbor’s fence.

Joshua pulled out screens.

GiGi enjoyed watching and talking with Dad.

It’s down!

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”Proverbs 22:29

Chris is the mischievous little boy with bright blue eyes, who was so naughty his preschool teachers threatened to expel him.

Can you spot Christopher?

Chris was also the guy who broke his arm–doing what? His own words when Mom asked: “I parachuted out of the swing.”

Take heart, moms. This guy grew into a true man of God who loves the Lord with all his heart, soul, and strength.

Christopher loves the elderly. About ten years ago, he worked through the steps needed for one of our friends to move from the nursing home back to her own home. A process that would have been impossible for her to have done on her own. Christopher made Mary Lou so happy. That’s true joy. He faithfully visits friends from church who are in rehab, bringing joy with his tribe of little kids.

Christopher is a hard worker. Even in his teens, he and Nathan ran their own mowing business. Nathan recalls memories from their time. He wasn’t sure who worked the hardest: they both seemed to think they did. And the quirky customers they had! Like the one who waited for them when they arrived to warn them not to mow over the new tree. The tree was 15 feet tall.

Christopher has a heart for ministry. He shared with young people across the country and Canada on our trips. He also has been very influential on the blog before he got married. See his awesome Ambassador Series.

Christopher loves his adorable family. We’re so grateful for Anna Marie and what a perfect couple they make. Christopher is the kind of daddy who includes his kids in projects, and often wears a backpack when mowing so the current baby (with ear protectors) can be with him.

There is more I can say, but the post would be too long! 🙂 Please leave Christopher a birthday comment below.

Happy Birthday, Big Brother!

Love,Sarah

Christopher, as a baby

Christopher in the 90’s, on a computer. Wow, how things have changed.

The Maxwell Family in the early 90’s.

Christopher can make almost anyone laugh (Joseph here).

Really awesome mower/bike set up. Dad designed this cart.

He’s loved photography since his teens.

Did you know Christopher taught piano lessons for awhile?

He’s always taken care of his vehicles.

He loves summiting 14ers!

This was how our family looked when Managers of Their Homes came out. We’ve almost tripled in number since!

Christopher speaking

Christopher and Anna Marie climbed Princeton together in 2011.

The Christopher Maxwell Family

“Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.”Psalm 128:2

Melanie and Baby are in the countdown! There is so much anticipation in their busy household–and really for everyone as we can’t wait to meet Baby! Melanie’s official due date is the 18th, but it’s not thought she’ll make it that far. One never knows, though. We’re grateful she’s past 37 weeks. Before 35 weeks, Baby automatically went to the NICU, and at 36, NICU attends the birth.

For those who are interested, here is Melanie’s track record of when her babies have been born.

Susannah, born at 33 weeksAbigail, born at 34 1/2 weeksBethany, born at 38 weeksChristina, born on her due dateAndrew, born at 35 weeksBenjamin, born at 38 weeks

With that in mind, let’s have some guesses on when this baby will be born!

We’d covet your prayers for both Melanie and Baby.

Love,Sarah

Melanie and I stopped at a cute little coffee shop after an appointment last Thursday.

I want to share my favorite iPhone case. Meet the Spigen Slim Armor (Titus2’s Amazon affiliate link–see our privacy policy). There’s a particular reason it’s my favorite. Simply put, the hidden closure in the back. It holds two items, and for me, when I need to run out somewhere, I generally just need my driver’s license and a credit card. Have you ever lost your license because you grabbed it out of your wallet in a hurry to leave, and then couldn’t remember where you put it? I have. I also don’t like to carry a purse. I definitely love girly things, but for some reason, purses are a hassle.

It is so freeing to stick my phone in a pocket and not need a purse. The Spigen Slim Armor case is a little bulky compared to the Apple silicon case, but it’s worth it to me.

One drawback would be if someone steals my phone, they now have my driver’s license and a credit card. I am super careful with my phone and don’t leave it unattended in public, so I don’t see that as being a problem.

Do you ever drop your phone? I have. The case is very solid, and my phone has not suffered any damage. The back of my case is scratched after a year of use, but for less than $20, I feel it’s done very well.